Developing behavioral metrics for decision-making in Marine Corps small-units

Abstract

This thesis developed behaviorally anchored-rating scales (BARS) for use in evaluating Marine Corps small-units (SUs) during live and virtual decision-making (DM) training. Currently, the Marine Corps does not mandate the use of standardized metrics and processes for the evaluation and feedback during SU DM training scenarios. Often, evaluators assess trainee performance in uncertain situations based on gross outcomes rather than process-oriented measures. Properly developed and integrated into a training plan, BARS offers a novel solution to these constraints. The application of BARS has been explored in the law enforcement and medical domains and has been explored on a limited basis for infantry tasks. This effort proposed that observing SU leader_s observable behaviors in context of their task performance would provide objective measures of DM. The first portion of this work was focused on the design and development of BARS specific for use during multiple IIT scenarios. The second phase of this research refined the initial BARS into six scenario-specific evaluation measurement tools. Additionally, this work provided an initial effectiveness evaluation of the refined BARS in operational training at the IIT. Results indicate that the BARS developed for this thesis have the potential to replace the nonstandard and subjective methods currently used for the evaluation of DM training in live and virtual environments. developed behaviorally anchored-rating scales (BARS) for use in evaluating Marine Corps small-units (SUs) during live and virtual decision-making (DM) training. Currently, the Marine Corps does not mandate the use of standardized metrics and processes for the evaluation and feedback during SU DM training scenarios. Often, evaluators assess trainee performance in uncertain situations based on gross outcomes rather than process-oriented measures. Properly developed and integrated into a training plan, BARS offers a novel solution to these constraints. The application of BARS has been explored in the law enforcement and medical domains and has been explored on a limited basis for infantry tasks. This effort proposed that observing SU leader_s observable behaviors in context of their task performance would provide objective measures of DM. The first portion of this work was focused on the design and development of BARS specific for use during multiple IIT scenarios. The second phase of this research refined the initial BARS into six scenario-specific evaluation measurement tools. Additionally, this work provided an initial effectiveness evaluation of the refined BARS in operational training at the IIT. Results indicate that the BARS developed for this thesis have the potential to replace the nonstandard and subjective methods currently used for the evaluation of DM training in live and virtual environments.